C_Colstead

https://x.com/RealCandaceO/status/2104740317295464732

Yet another one of her classics.

Re-release with bonus tracks coming 27 November. Source: her Insta / website.

This CLASSIC! I'd just turned 18 not long after this was released and let me tell you, the clubs went off. It was my first major clubbing experiences here in the UK, and this is the soundtrack to them. And it STILL goes hard to this day.

Second Anaheim date added - November 21, 2027.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is what happens when you flat-out refuse to go away, take an actual break and become truly inspired again. For me, her best albums (Red, 1989, rep, folklore/evermore) are full of inspiration. You can tell she was genuinely passionate about them, believed in them and was hungry to make the best possible album she could. But now there's... this (and I actually think the songs are OK on their own, with the exception of Cleveland!). At this point in her career, there's no reason why she can't branch out, try something new and work with different producers who will push her in different creative directions, challenge her, and in turn, cause her to challenge herself again. Because it's clearly not the producers etc that are the issue any longer - it's her. Every Swiftie here knows deep down that she's capable of much better than this.

Have you ever heard a more obvious example of projection?

LG's. That said, I like Taylor's too.

I know I called TLOAS the worst album of her career the other day (and I stand by that) and am not a Swiftie (and not necessarily an OTH either), but my honest review: Patient Zero - I feel like this is a grower. At the moment, I'm undecided whether or not I like it. I think the elegant production suits her, and particular shout-out to the violin throughout the song. Cleveland! - What in the absolute abomination? This is, quite possibly, the worst song of her entire career to date, and I didn't think she'd ever release something as bad as ME! again. At least the production, if fleshed out a bit more, could fit with the actual "Showgirl" concept, which is pretty much all this mess has going for it. Pink Clouding - absolutely tremendous. The best and freshest track of them all, for me. I feel this should've been the single, not just because it's my favourite, but because she's actually doing something she rarely does in her music: self-reflecting, accounting for things she may have done wrong and apologizing where she feels it necessary. It's nice to hear that from her given she often positions herself as an eternal victim - and I'm genuinely not being shady. Babylon - all I heard when I listened to this is "The Last Great American Dynasty 2.0", and I don't know why. Maybe it's the production, but this is very folklore/evermore-coded, and wouldn't sound out of place on the album. I liked it. One thing these four tracks have going for them is that she seems to have remembered she's supposed to be a songwriter, and there's no cringe and flat-out embarrassing lyrics like some on the standard. But to repeat what I said on the "creatively bankrupt" thread - I really do think she is. There's nothing here that she hasn't covered before, and there's absolutely no reason why, at this point of her career, she can't branch out and work with brand new producers etc that will challenge her and, in turn, challenge herself. She's capable of so much better than this, and has proven so many times before.

All four of these songs are nothing we haven't heard before - although I will say she's at least made an effort to remember she's supposed to be a songwriter on these four songs, as all of them are better lyrically than pretty much all of the standard Showgirl (with the exception of Cleveland! in general because what is that absolute career low?). She's been creatively bankrupt for arguably a while now, and I genuinely think it's because she flat out refuses to go away, have a break and become truly inspired again. At this point in her career, there is literally no reason why she shouldn't work with brand new producers, come up with something different and actually challenge herself. She's capable of so much more than this, and has proven so on numerous occasions.

Genuinely no shade, but aren't hate comments par for the course for anyone in the public eye? A-list or Z-list, success or flop?

So instead of re-issuing an album that's actually good, she chooses to double down on the worst project of her entire career to date. That said, IKI,IKY was a step in the right direction compared to whatever TLOAS was meant to be, and it seems these songs were written after the album's release, so...

According to @/hilaryduff.nl on Insta... Monday May 10 - Milan, Unipol Dome Sunday May 16 - Brussels, Forest National Presale Wednesday 30th, general sale Friday 2nd. Rebecca Black as opening act.

That "special thing" is LG's legitimate, actual talent. And that will always shine through.

How has Taylor "expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling"? Like I'm honestly not being shady - I'm genuinely asking.